Skipper Lee Beaumont believes Philadelphia have strengthened their batting line-up - and added some balance to the bowling attack - for the new season.

Philadelphia, who have lost Jim Allenby to Brandon, have signed Windward Islands fast bowler Fernix Thomas as their overseas star and added a clutch of university players to their batting order, with Mike Elliott making his debut against Blaydon at Bunker Hill tomorrow.

Beaumont is hoping that Philadelphia, beaten last weekend by Stockton, can make an impression in both the Foster's North East Premier League and the cups.

"Jim is a big loss for us and that's one of the reasons it was important to strengthen the side with more batsmen," said Beaumont.

"Now the batting's looking good and the bowling's got a nice balance of both left and right arm.

"We've recruited Fernix Thomas and a couple of Durham students. We signed Simon Hollinsworth, who has played for Surrey Seconds, and Ed Crowther, who has played in the Derbyshire Premier League. They're both batters.

"We've also signed students Mike Elliott and Glen Read, who played a handful of games for us last season and is completing his third year at university. He's a left-arm bowler.

"Last season our weakness was in the batting line-up so over the winter I've met with the universities and signed some depth to our batting.

"We were beaten by Stockton in our first game but that was the first time that four or five of the players had played together. They're going to take some time to gel but the teamwork was good and the attitude was positive."

Philadelphia finished seventh last season and it is the cup competitions which offer Beaumont and his team the best chance of silverware.

Beaumont added: "We've entered seven or eight cups this year, and it's going to be important that we maintain the same line-up from the weekend to the midweek games. The successful cup teams have the same 11 out for the cup."